Page 126 of Dark Rival

Allie hesitated. “I am a friend of your husband’s.”

Brigdhe’s face tightened. Her expression was hard to decipher—Allie decided it was partly anguish and partly anger.

“He will rescue you,” Allie cried, touching her reassuringly. “I am certain.”

Brigdhe hugged herself. “I have been here for days and days. At first, I knew he would come. But he didn’t come for me. And day after day, Kael did as he pleased, cruelly, openly telling me how he wished to hurt Ruari. Now I know how powerful Kael is. Ruari may never find me, and if he does, he will die. I will grow old in this dungeon. I will grow old being raped and beaten. And why? Why? Because Kale hates my husband. He uses me to torment Ruari. I am naught but a pawn in the affairs of men!”

“No, Ruari will find you! He will take you from this place, and Kael will die,” Allie said fiercely. “You will be freed!”

Brigdhe looked away, crying. The torment in her heart hadn’t eased. Allie knew she didn’t just cry with hopelessness, but she wept for the loss of her love for the man she had married.

She had been told too many times to count that the past couldn’t be changed. But she had to try. For if Brigdhe could forgive Royce when he rescued her, he would not have to suffer the burden of guilt for so many centuries. “This isn’t Royce’s—Ruari’s—fault,” Allie said, taking her hands. “He loves you. He would die for you. Your disappearance is killing him. Please, don’t blame him.”

Brigdhe tore her hands away. “Are you in love with him?” she cried.

Allie hesitated.

Brigdhe’s eyes widened. “Are you lovers?” She was both shocked and accusing.

“No!” For they were certainly not lovers now, in this time.

Brigdhe was angry again, and that was a good sign. “Leave me alone,” Brigdhe said bitterly. “If Ruari does come, you are welcome to him. If I ever escape this hell, I will never return to him as his wife.”

“He loves you so,” Allie tried again. “Don’t lose hope—don’t let go of your love for him. Please, try to hear what I am saying. If anyone is to blame, it is Kael.”

Brigdhe shook her head and as she did so, they both heard the bolt outside the door being lifted. Brigdhe jerked up the blanket, consumed with so much fear that Allie felt it wash over her. Anger arose. She stood, wishing she had a weapon. Somehow she had to defend Royce’s wife from his demonic enemy.

The door opened and Moffat stepped inside, smiling. “Hallo a Ailios.”

It was hard to think. Clearly this was the sixth century. A very young Royce would soon appear to vanquish Kael and free his wife. Moffat had captured her and brought her to this terrible time and place. Why?

And what would happen when “Ruari” appeared to rescue Brigdhe? Could the past be rewritten after all? She was terrified Royce might die when he was only twenty-three years old.

Allie realized she was defensively hugging herself and she dropped her arms and straightened her posture. “We agreed to a trade,” she said coldly. “Where is my mother?”

Moffat grinned at her. “Your mother is dead.”

Allie felt like clawing his eyes out. “No, she’s not. She’s alive!”

“I sent you every thought you had of her caged and hurt,” Moffat said with gleaming eyes. “In truth, I have never met the great Elasaid. I was born many years after the massacre of her family at Blayde.”

She had been duped, Allie thought furiously. Royce had been right—her mother was dead and Moffat had tricked her. Elasaid had been trying to warn her not to fall for such treachery from the afterlife. “I won’t heal for you.”

“Really?” He smiled widely. “I have promised Kael you’d heal his brother, who is dying. In return, he has allowed me to keep you here—with her.” He gestured indifferently at Brigdhe, who huddled beneath the blanket, listening to them. “It is in your best interest to heal Kael’s brother—and wait for Royce to arrive.” He laughed then, triumphant.

Allie stiffened with dread. In that moment, she had the dreadful comprehension that Moffat didn’t want her—that this was a trap and it was set for Royce.

Moffat was reading her mind, because he said, “Aye, beauty. T’is a trap and you are the bait.”

ROYCE TENSED in the high tower at Blackwood Hall, filled with alarm and sick with fear. In that moment, every memory he’d ever had of what Kael had done to Brigdhe filled his mind, paralyzing him. Moffat would use Ailios to torment him as Kael had used his wife, he had no doubt—unless he could save her in time. It was the past repeating itself. It was his worst nightmare come true, his most ancient fear rekindled and reborn.

Now, he heard nothing but the wind whispering in the trees outside. But he had heard her calling him.

He fought the gut-wrenching fear. Instead his mind calmed and he readied for the battle of good and evil that was to come. A terrible savagery stole over him. This time, Moffat had dared too much and gone too far. He would suffer a horrendous death. And Royce listened to the universe.

At first, he heard nothing but the vast, eternal silence. He strained and remained intently focused. A ripple went through the eons of time

He breathed hard and refocused. And slowly, the tormented passions of humanity reached out to him from the many ages of time. First he felt fear, and then waves of extreme anger and hatred, followed by lust, sorrow, vengeance, jealousy…